Noonan Links Up With Bedford

Former Ireland Under-21 international Ross Noonan has signed for English club Bedford Blues. The versatile forward leaves after three years with the Munster Academy, during which he put in some starring performances for UCC and Cork Constitution in the AIB League.

The 22-year-old Noonan joins Bedford after being recommended to club coach Mike Rayer by Guinness Premiership champions Leicester.

"It shows how well our link (with Leicester) is working. We were sent Ross' CV and DVD and were impressed with what we saw," said Rayer.

Noonan, who is comfortable as a lock, a number six or number eight, was a regular in the Cork Constitution side last season having joined from UCC where he was a winner of the John McCarthy award.

But wanting to further his career and with competition for back row places so fierce at Munster, the Douglas native has been lured across the water. He managed to make two Magners League appearances for Munster, the last one coming as a substitute in the 24-21 comeback win over Ulster in March.

Hoping his Irish recruit will fill the void left by the departing back rower Shaun Brady, Rayer said: "We are hoping Ross can provide a bit of versatility given the reduced squad we will be operating with next season. It's pretty difficult to break into the Munster back row, given the players of international experience they have got, so he is looking for somewhere to come and play his rugby."

Noonan will link up with another former Irish U-21 at Goldington Road in the form of out-half Kieran Hallett.

The countdown is on to the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23. Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens & Women's Rugby, previews what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Jenny Murphy talks about the progress made by the Ireland Women's Sevens team and their pool draw for the upcoming Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Conor Murray and Tommy Bowe speak to Irish Rugby TV about their Rugby World Cup preparations and thank the thousands of supporters who came out to see the players at the open training session at the Sportsground.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell gives his verdict on the team's new Rugby World Cup jersey and talks about his move to French club Toulon. Ireland's RWC 2015 range is available to pre-order now from http://shop.irishrugby.ie.

Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens, talks about the target of a top three finish for both the Ireland Men and Women in Lisbon this weekend, as they continue on their quests for Olympic qualification.

Tom Daly, who recently captained the Ireland Men's Sevens team to the European Division C and B titles, is looking forward to playing in this weekend's Rugby Europe Olympic Repechage tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ireland will host the 'Women's Sevens Dublin' at UCD on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Tournament director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland stars Lucy Mulhall, Jenny Murphy and Louise Galvin speak about their excitement ahead of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier.

Coach Allen Clarke and stand-in captain Billy Holland answer questions from the media following Emerging Ireland's 45-12 victory over Georgia in the final round of their successful Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke speaks about his side's five-try 33-7 win over Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup and the first half injury to captain Rhys Ruddock. They wrap up the tournament against hosts Georgia on Sunday.

Speaking about the floods that occurred following the Tbilisi Cup's first round, Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles said: "A natural event like that, a tragedy like that puts the game of rugby into perspective. We express our regrets to the Georgian people and the Georgian Union for the terrible tragedy that they had."

David O'Reilly from the IRFU Charitable Trust's Corporate Patrons Committee speaks about the new scheme which provides businesses with unique networking opportunities and provides a platform for companies to effectively activate their CSR programmes. For further information, please contact Linda Black of the Charitable Trust - telephone (01) 6473866 or email: linda.black@irfu.ie / http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34728.php.